Graham double lifts Chaffee over Delta; Lady Hawks win

CHAFFEE -- Chaffee's Ashley Graham pulled through in the fifth inning of Wednesday's 5-4 victory over Delta.

With two outs and runners on second and third, Graham pounded a double to score the tying and winning runs for the Lady Red Devils.

Chaffee improves to 3-0 on the year.

"It was a huge hit," said Chaffee coach Mark Devenport. "I'm extremely excited to beat Delta. They've played the last two years in the fall. They went to state the first year, and reached the quarterfinals last year. We beat a quality softball team today."

Chaffee took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Delta came back with three runs in the fourth, then one in the fifth to hold a 4-2 advantage.

In the bottom of the inning, Molly Fowler walked, then Lindsey Everett singled. Kate Pfefferkorn doubled to score Fowler.

Chaffee's next two batters popped out, then Graham provided the game-winning hit, driving in Everett and Pfefferkorn.

"It was a really good, close game," said Delta coach Laura Brown. "Our team really started rattling the bats halfway through the game, we just ran out of innings."

Shannon Hampton picked up the complete-game win for Chaffee. In her seven innings, she allowed the four runs on four hits and 11 walks, recording eight strikeouts.

At the plate, Pfefferkorn was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Graham had three RBIs to go along with her double. Hampton, Crystal Morgan and Everett also had hits.

Delta's Rebecca Cook was charged with the loss after seven solid innings of work. She gave up the five runs on five hits and three walks with three strikeouts.

Andrea Dohogne was 2-for-4 with a triple and freshman Krystal Burnett was 1-for-4 with a sacrifice fly. Other hits came from Jenny Dannenmueller, Ashley Martin and Tiffany Johnson.

"We're coming around," said Brown. "We're getting better with each game. Hopefully our first win is coming soon."

Delta (0-2-1) will host East Prairie on Monday at 4 p.m. Chaffee will travel to Scott Central today at 4 p.m.

POPLAR BLUFF -- Freshman Kristin Harper was 4-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs, leading Kelly to a 10-0 win over Poplar Bluff on Wednesday.

"I was real proud of her," said Kelly coach Rhonda Evans. "We played Scott City the other day and she had a triple and a double. We've decided to put her in the lineup and she has done really well."

Monica Senciboy was 2-for-3, Dana Essner was 2-for-3 with two RBIs, Christy Kluesner was 2-for-3 with an RBI and Allison Johnson was 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs.

Cara Scherer and Sarah Essner also contributed hits.

"We played really well," said Evans. "My pitchers did really well and everybody was hitting up and down the lineup."

Dana Essner pitched the first three innings for the Lady Hawks, allowing no hits or runs with two walks and seven Ks. Whitney Beggs threw the final two frames, giving up one hit, one walk and had three strikeouts.

Poplar Bluff's Wilson was charged with the loss. Welchance had the team's only hit.

Kelly (2-0) will host Charleston today at 4 p.m.